AP Gov't Ch. 2

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

A nations basic laws.

Question 2

Declaration of Independence

Answer 2

The document approved by the representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.

Question 3

Natural Rights

Answer 3

Rights inherent in human beings which include life, liberty, and property.

Question 4

Consent of the Governed

Answer 4

The idea that derives its authority by the sanction of the people.

Question 5

Limited Government

Answer 5

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed of government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

Question 6

Articles of Confederation

Answer 6

The first constitution of the U.S, adopted by congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781. Established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with the states legislature.

Question 7

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 7

A series of attacks on court houses by a small band of farmers led by Rev. War Cpt. Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.

Question 8

U.S. Constitution

Answer 8

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the structure of the U.S. government and the tasks these institutions perform.

Question 9

Factions

Answer 9

Parties/Interest Groups that James Madison saw as arising from the unequal distribution of property/wealth and attacked as having the potential to cause instability in the government.

Question 10

New Jersey Plan

Answer 10

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state’s population.

Question 11

Virginia Plan

Answer 11

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention That called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state’s share of the U.S. population.

Question 12

Connecticut Compromise (The Great)

Answer 12

The compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that established two houses of Congress. Senate- Each state gets two Reps. House of Reps- Reps. based on population.

Question 13

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Answer 13

A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.

Question 14

Separation of Powers

Answer 14

A feature of the Const. that requires each of the three branches to be relatively independent of the others so that one cannot control the other. Power is shared among them.

Question 15

Checks and Balances

Answer 15

Features of the Const. that limit government’s power by requiring that power be balanced among the different branches. These branches continually constrain one another’s activities.

Question 16

Republic

Answer 16

A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.

Question 17

Federalists

Answer 17

Supporters of the U.S. Const. at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.

Question 18

Anti-Federalist

Answer 18

Opponents of the American Const. at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.

Question 19

Federalist Papers

Answer 19

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Const. in detail.

Question 20

Bill of Rights

Answer 20

The first 10 amendments of the U.S. Const.

Question 21

Equal Rights Amendment

Answer 21

A Const. amendment passed by Congress in 1972 stating that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S. or by any state on account of sex.”

Question 22

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 22

The 1803 case in which the Sup. Court asserted its right to determine the meaning of the U.S. Const. (Judicial Review)

Question 23

Judicial Review

Answer 23

THe power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and, by implication, the execution are in accord with the U.S. Const.